College Compass GuideTrue north for every college search.

Best colleges in North Carolina

Every accredited four-year college ranked by the Compass Score: outcomes, entering students, cost and teaching, from federal data.

Best colleges in North Carolina55 schools

55 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score. The top 25 are shown.

How this list is made

  • Schools in North Carolina.
  • Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
  • Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
  • Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.

Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.

  1. 1

    Duke University

    Durham, NC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    #1 in North Carolina

    • Value grade B+ · Top 23%
    • 97% graduate
  2. 2

    Davidson College

    Davidson, NC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A+

    • Value grade A · Top 5%
    • 91% graduate
  3. 3

    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    Chapel Hill, NC · PublicHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A+

    • Value grade A+ · Top 1%
    • 91% graduate
  4. 4

    Wake Forest University

    Winston-Salem, NC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • Value grade B · Top 42%
    • 89% graduate
  5. 5

    North Carolina State University at Raleigh

    Raleigh, NC · PublicHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • Value grade A- · Top 11%
    • 85% graduate
  6. 6

    Manna University

    Fayetteville, NC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • 80% graduate
  7. 6

    University of North Carolina School of the Arts

    Winston Salem, NC · Public

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • Value grade B-
    • 78% graduate
  8. 8

    Cabarrus College of Health Sciences

    Concord, NC · Private nonprofit

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • Value grade A- · Top 16%
    • 71% graduate
  9. 9

    Carolinas College of Health Sciences

    Charlotte, NC · Public

    Top 1% for graduation

    • 100% graduate
  10. 10

    Elon University

    Elon, NC · Private nonprofit

    Top 8% for graduation

    • Value grade C+
    • 84% graduate
  11. 11

    University of North Carolina Wilmington

    Wilmington, NC · Public

    Excellent: Compass grade A-

    • Value grade B · Top 37%
    • 71% graduate
  12. 12

    Appalachian State University

    Boone, NC · Public

    Top 15% for graduation

    • Value grade B+ · Top 34%
    • 75% graduate
  13. 13

    High Point University

    High Point, NC · Private nonprofit

    Top 16% for graduation

    • Value grade C+
    • 74% graduate
  14. 14

    University of North Carolina at Charlotte

    Charlotte, NC · Public

    Top 22% for graduation

    • Value grade B+ · Top 23%
    • 69% graduate
  15. 15

    Meredith College

    Raleigh, NC · Private nonprofit

    Top 21% for graduation

    • Value grade B-
    • 70% graduate
  16. 16

    Queens University of Charlotte

    Charlotte, NC · Private nonprofit

    #16 in North Carolina

    • Value grade C+
    • 61% graduate
  17. 17

    East Carolina University

    Greenville, NC · Public

    #17 in North Carolina

    • Value grade B+ · Top 31%
    • 63% graduate
  18. 18

    Western Carolina University

    Cullowhee, NC · Public

    #18 in North Carolina

    • Value grade B+ · Top 31%
    • 60% graduate
  19. 19

    University of North Carolina Asheville

    Asheville, NC · Public

    Top 22% for low net price

    • Value grade B+ · Top 35%
    • 54% graduate
  20. 20

    University of North Carolina at Greensboro

    Greensboro, NC · Public

    Top 18% for low net price

    • Value grade B+ · Top 28%
    • 56% graduate
  21. 21

    North Carolina A & T State University

    Greensboro, NC · Public

    Top 17% for low net price

    • Value grade B · Top 46%
    • 57% graduate
  22. 22

    Campbell University

    Buies Creek, NC · Private nonprofit

    #22 in North Carolina

    • Value grade B-
    • 61% graduate
  23. 23

    Warren Wilson College

    Swannanoa, NC · Private nonprofit

    #23 in North Carolina

    • Value grade C+
    • 42% graduate
  24. 24

    Salem College

    Winston-Salem, NC · Private nonprofit

    #24 in North Carolina

    • Value grade B-
    • 57% graduate
  25. 25

    Brevard College

    Brevard, NC · Private nonprofit

    #25 in North Carolina

    • Value grade C+
    • 49% graduate

Compare cost and outcomes

SchoolNet price a yearMedian debtEarnings 10 years outGraduation rate
Duke University$29,612$13,000$97,80097%
Davidson College$17,379$18,688$81,40091%
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill$11,655$14,000$72,20091%
Wake Forest University$28,719$21,500$78,15889%
North Carolina State University at Raleigh$17,303$20,121$68,75885%
Manna University$15,210$13,450—80%
University of North Carolina School of the Arts$14,906$23,870$38,35778%
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences$17,618$16,000$58,70871%
Carolinas College of Health Sciences—$15,337$64,624100%
Elon University$41,555$20,500$74,54584%
University of North Carolina Wilmington$20,109$19,500$54,96771%
Appalachian State University$16,836$20,231$51,83675%
High Point University$38,707$24,575$61,38974%
University of North Carolina at Charlotte$15,435$21,500$57,28969%
Meredith College$22,488$25,000$51,53970%
Queens University of Charlotte$30,857$25,000$57,67361%
East Carolina University$15,739$22,750$55,14663%
Western Carolina University$13,315$21,868$49,45860%
University of North Carolina Asheville$12,250$20,500$44,03054%
University of North Carolina at Greensboro$10,965$22,858$48,16056%
North Carolina A & T State University$10,846$27,000$44,44057%
Campbell University$24,516$22,500$54,88661%
Warren Wilson College$21,249$25,000$36,26042%
Salem College$18,277$26,649$44,64057%
Brevard College$23,509$25,000$43,54549%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

This list in other states

The national list → · All top school lists →

0 school selectedCompare

What would it cost your family?

Pick your family’s yearly income. Each college then shows what families like yours paid on average after grants and scholarships (federal data).

Reach, Target or Likely?

Enter an SAT or ACT to sort every college in this search.

Will you get in?

Enter your SAT or ACT. We compare it with the middle range of students the college admitted.